Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has delivered a damming verdict for Crystal Palace ahead of their clash with Manchester City this weekend.

Nicholas, predicting a big 5-1 defeat for Palace against the champions of England, believes that City will easily get past the Eagles, despite Wilfried Zaha’s recent improvement in form.

Nicholas said:

We say it is a decent start to the season because of the points Crystal Palace have. Are they doing well? They have not been outstanding. Two weeks ago Wilfried Zaha had a cracker.

He may have got over the transfer saga, but why has it taken him so long? The Arsenal and Everton deals were dead, but did he want to leave? Of course he did! He is stuck here so that is why he is giving his best.

He is the best player at Crystal Palace but it shows how individual it can become. Roy Hodgson has done brilliantly to piece it all together. Man City will know Liverpool have a tough game though and will be wondering whether they can take advantage, which they will.

Read Crystal Palace’s verdict

Facing the champions is no easy game, but Palace will be hopeful after what Wolves and Norwich City have managed this season.

Zaha has improved a lot recently, as Nicholas says, but it’s not right to say that they have gotten to this point just off the Ivorian.

Hodgson has built a good team, and it’s wrong to just dismiss them as a team of individuals.

Can Palace get a result against City?

Yes

No